Importance of a Toner in your Skin Care Routine
First things first: toners don’t work for pores the same way that exercise does for your muscles. You can’t “tone” anything about your pores — for that to happen they’d need to be connected to a muscle — and they aren’t!
If a toner doesn’t tone, what does it do?
Toners remove the last bit of dirt on your skin that might be accentuating the appearance of your pores. Applied after cleansing and before moisturising, a toner is an absorbing liquid that helps to removes excess dirt, traces of oil and make up and the balances the pH of your skin.
It may seem that a toner does nothing more for your skin that getting you to spend more time. That however, is not the case.
When and How to use a Toner
A Toner goes on after cleansing and exfoliating. You can use it day or night, or both. If you choose to use a toner during the day, don’t forget to slather on sunscreen.
Read on to find out Why You Should Make SPF Your BFF!
It’s best to use a toner it when skin is still a little damp so it penetrates better into your skin. Traditionally, toner is applied by sweeping it on with a cotton pad. But I prefer to pat it on like a serum, which works, too.
Here’s why you should include a toner in your skin care routine
- Toners remove traces of dirt leftover from cleanser
Toners are applied right after cleansing. The rationale is the toner will pick up any leftover bacteria that your cleanser might’ve left behind. They help in getting rid of dead skin cells, excess oil makeup residue, and even environmental pollutants.
2. Toners help to balance the skin’s pH levels
Our skin is naturally acidic, with a pH balance of between five and six (on a scale from 0 to 14). This balance can get out of whack after cleansing due to the alkaline nature of cleansers. When this happens, your skin needs to work overtime to return to its normal levels. A good face toner will help to rebalance your skin’s pH level to its natural acidic state.
3. Toners minimize breakouts
By clearing away traces of dirt from your skin’s surface and rebalancing your skin’s pH, toners help to keep your pores clean. This will then reduce the risk of blackheads, whiteheads, and acne from forming on your skin.
4. Toners improve the effectiveness of other skincare products
Think of it this way. If you put a thick cream on a dry sponge, it won’t accept it. This is because it isn’t ‘prepped’ for moisture. But if you wet the sponge, the cream will sink in easily. This is exactly what a toner helps with. It clear away any skin debris and provides a clean canvas for the rest of your skincare products penetrate deeper into your skin.
5. Toners replenish the skin
Toners help to nourish and replenish the skin after cleansing and act as a primer for the rest of your skincare products.
Your skin is probably your best accessory. Don’t forget to take good care of it!
